Eventing wisdom from a 14 year old NOVEL

[seeuatx]

and a romance at that (yeah, that's right ;) ). I found a novel in a used book store a few weeks ago and was intrigued by the rider on the front (obviously English... which is unusual in romances, usually you get cowboys/girls). I flipped to the back and the rider is and EVENTER (woot!) preparing for the Olympics (96... book was published in 1995). I've only ever read one other eventing novel before (and it wasn't very good), so I had better hopes for this one. This book even features Rolex back in the day of the true three-day (double woot!), so I bought it and spent the weekend with my nose stuck in the pages. It was good, but I was not expecting to get wisdom on our sport in a harlequin romance (much as I love them ;) ).

From page 114, where rider is walking the Rolex course with her love interest, explaining what happens and guy is lamenting the danger. He talks about needing "good old-fashioned fear":

"Nerves," she corrected. "Not fear. Anyone afraid of a [cross-country] course shouldn't try it. There've been course, course designers, I didn't have confidence in, jumps I wasn't a hundred percent sure could be made. That's different. You ride those with dread, and praying you won't steer your horse into a situation that will cause him irreparable harm."

She continues:
"A good event horse has more than strength and stamina. He has complete, unhesitating trust in his rider. He'll do what his instincts tell him not to simply because you've asked. It's a huge responsibility."

Then on page 135, the guy has volunteered to help her grooms in the 10-minute box. Head groom is explaining some stuff:

Groom: "There's lots of talk about safety. Courses are mapped out for approval by a TD and ground jury. Still, the last ten years or so, injuries have increased - the bad kind."

The main guy asks how this course is and groom tells him there were 6 voluntary withdrawls, main guy asks why...

Groom: "Riders say some obstacles don't allow for honest mistakes. You gotta ease horses onto a course, give em a chance to settle in before asking tricky questions. By the end they're used up. Not just physically, but [mentally]... where it counts. Course designers know this, but instead of allowing for it, some take advantage of it."

There were definitely some inaccuracies in this book, but these quotes stuck out to me especially with the current issues in the sport. Just thought I would share :)

[takethestage]

Oooooh, which book? It sounds like a good read. :)

[ValleyMiss]

Tell us the title! I love harlequin romances and even better if they are horsey (even if most of the time it's very inaccurate) I'll keep my eye out for it in the used book stores.

[seeuatx]

Title is What Price Glory published April 1995 by under the Silhouette Special Edition brand of Harlequin. This one was pretty good on the research (even if the "girth" was always called a cinch, but so it goes with every English riding novel I've ever read except Saddle Clubs ;)

Amazon has a few used copies: http://www.amazon.com/What-Price-Glory-Silhouette-Special/dp/0373099525/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235417067&sr=1-3

[jumper19]

I read over the summer an AWSESOME other eventing book, Riding Lessons and its sequel Flying Changes. I forget the author but the book was fantastic. It's about a middle aged women as an ex pro eventer with a teenage daughter, an estranged husband, and isolated parents. Absolutely beautifully written with just enough scandal to get you hooked ;)

[Little Valkyrie]

Two other eventing/jumper books that I used to love (I just haven't read them in a loooong time :lol: ) were Dancer and Abby Malone, both by Shelley Peterson. Very entertaining reads.

[jumper19]

I just went on Amazon and bought Dancer and Sundancer for I think a total of 70 cents haha.
Though Abby Malone was a little too expensive on my negative budget. It was going for 7 bucks!:eek::lol:

[subk]

I read over the summer an AWSESOME other eventing book, Riding Lessons and its sequel Flying Changes. I forget the author but the book was fantastic.
Sara Gruen the author occasionally posts here on COTH.

[jumper19]

Sara Gruen the author occasionally posts here on COTH.

:eek::eek::eek::D

That is just so awesome! I absolutely adore her, I can't believe my mind went blank when I was writing the other post. Her books are just so honest to goodness real that I know she has to be too. :yes:

[RegentLion]

Not about EVENTING but gripping none the less is "Riders" by Jilly Cooper. Probably my favorite Horse Book to date. It is about show jumpers and as far as I know really accurate. Oh and there is definintely some scandal as well as romance.

Loved it so much I read all the rest of Jilly Cooper's books. :D

[RegentLion]

Oops, double post!

[jen-s]

I just finished this book this morning. It was fabulous!!!

[Brown Horse]

Anyone read Horseplay? THAT was an awesome book. Unfortunately I finished it in one day...I wish I would have savored it! haha. I'm definitely going to check that book out, OP...:)

[pegasusmom]

I have had the rare priviledge over the past 9 months, of being involved with helping an author with research on the novel she is currently writing, centered on an up and coming event rider. I've even gotten to read the drafts - and trust me, she's getting it right. You won't want to miss it once it is published.

[jen-s]

Pegasusmom--Please keep up posted on the progress. And can you give us any more details? Thanks!

[pegasusmom]

She lurks here, so perhaps she will post an update herself. If not, I'll let you know.

[merrygoround]

I just finished this book this morning. It was fabulous!!!

It 's gonna get me arrested and carted off to bin, for "public hilarity". :D :D

[springdaisy]

:eek::eek::eek::D

That is just so awesome! I absolutely adore her, I can't believe my mind went blank when I was writing the other post. Her books are just so honest to goodness real that I know she has to be too. :yes:

I loved those too. :D

[shea'smom]

I ordered What Price Glory, should be in my mail box!
I love The Lady by Anne McCaffrey, very good with the hrose stuff.

[wabadou]

Not about EVENTING but gripping none the less is "Riders" by Jilly Cooper. Probably my favorite Horse Book to date. It is about show jumpers and as far as I know really accurate. Oh and there is definintely some scandal as well as romance.

Loved it so much I read all the rest of Jilly Cooper's books. :D

I got Riders used on Amazon.com.
I got sucked in to the point that I was pretty useless for days trying to get to the end to see what happened :winkgrin:

[springdaisy]

Horse People by Michael Korda is one of my favorites, though non-fiction. :)

[Ilex]

Fiona Walker!!!!!!!!

French Relations you meet Tash for the first time. Resumes her equine carrier after years away and makes her start into eventing. Not to mention Neil and Hugo (International Eventer)

Well Groomed....she is movin' up to International level. And we have Neil and Hugo both back.

The books are VERY well written from the horsey point of view. As Ms. Walker is an equestian and has worked in the Equine industry.

Big books....very fun read.

Tami

PS...I'm a total sucker for Jilly Cooper. Loved Polo the best.

[tx3dayeventer]

Fiona Walker!!!!!!!!

French Relations you meet Tash for the first time. Resumes her equine carrier after years away and makes her start into eventing. Not to mention Neil and Hugo (International Eventer)

Well Groomed....she is movin' up to International level. And we have Neil and Hugo both back.

The books are VERY well written from the horsey point of view. As Ms. Walker is an equestian and has worked in the Equine industry.

Big books....very fun read.

Tami

PS...I'm a total sucker for Jilly Cooper. Loved Polo the best.

I LOVED both Well Groomed and French Relations. I keep scanning her other books on Amazon hoping there is a follow-up for Well Groomed. I loved Tash's character!!!!

Currently in the process of reading the OP's book suggestion. Got it on Amazon for like $0.50 or something. So far its GOOOD!

[Fred]

Sara Gruen the author occasionally posts here on COTH.

I liked her two horse-related books, but absolutely LOVED Water For Elephants. It is beautifully written, poignant, imaginative, and just a wonderful book. I keep giving copies to friends.


Another author I enjoy I have just completely blanked out on her name. She is a top English steeplechase rider (won the Grand National), and now writes books, mystery, horse racing related. Her heroine is a NH trainer.

[tarheelmd07]

I just finished this book this morning. It was fabulous!!!

I thought it was fabulous as well...though I may be more than a bit biased ;)

[jen-s]

I thought it was fabulous as well...though I may be more than a bit biased ;)

Biased in what way?

[tarheelmd07]

Biased in what way?
I'm one of Julia's students...and it also might just have something to do with the fact that I'm currently competing Huey and Surf Guitar ;)

Huey's still bopping around xc at the ripe old age of 21:D

[jen-s]

I'm one of Julia's students...and it also might just have something to do with the fact that I'm currently competing Huey and Surf Guitar ;)

Huey's still bopping around xc at the ripe old age of 21:D

You're kidding, right?!?! I was just talking to someone the other day wondering what happened with the horses after the book ended. I went to Julia's website, but there wasn't a lot of info to be found.

[tarheelmd07]

You're kidding, right?!?! I was just talking to someone the other day wondering what happened with the horses after the book ended. I went to Julia's website, but there wasn't a lot of info to be found.

Nope - not kidding at all! Several of the horses from the book are still around the farm :)

Here's Huey at Full Gallop (Feb 09)
http://hoofclix.smugmug.com/gallery/7287118_dvQEm#468673571_AAHEm
And Surf Guitar at Sporting Days (Feb 09)
http://hoofclix.smugmug.com/gallery/7299720_HNtsP#470790944_XqcVY

It was very neat to read about their history...it was like reading an instruction manual for the horses!

[Fred]

the writer's (and steeplechase rider) whose name escaped me last night is Jenny Pitman.

[yellowbritches]

Riders and Polo (also by Jilly Cooper) are both fun reads. They will make you blush, though, if you are the blushing type. :yes: My brother once picked up whichever one I was reading at the time and started thumbing through it. He happened upon one of the more, umm, blushy scenes in the book and was pretty shocked! (takes a lot to shock him).

Warning, though, I believe one of the main characters in Riders refers to event riders as over privileged amateurs (I think he was actually referring the one and only Captain Mark Phillips, if I recall! :lol::lol:).

[Toadie's mom]

Riders and Polo (also by Jilly Cooper) are both fun reads. They will make you blush, though, if you are the blushing type. :yes: My brother once picked up whichever one I was reading at the time and started thumbing through it. He happened upon one of the more, umm, blushy scenes in the book and was pretty shocked! (takes a lot to shock him).

Warning, though, I believe one of the main characters in Riders refers to event riders as over privileged amateurs (I think he was actually referring the one and only Captain Mark Phillips, if I recall! :lol::lol:).

My mother bought "Riders" for me at a garage sale. I LOVED it. Ended up loaning it to a friend, then when she finished it she ask if someone else could borrow it, and the last I knew it had been loaned for the 4th time (all area V event riders!) :D I missed it so much I bought the unabridged audio on ebay(then had to go buy a cheap cassette player) and am listening to it now. Guess I'll have to get Polo next.

I also just started "Finding My Distance". Beautifully written. This is one I'll be buying for Christmas presents. I can't chance losing my copy ;)

[Foxtrot's]

My daughter was introduced to Riders by a friend who was three years older than her. I thought she was a little young to be reading such a lusty novel, but it gave her a love of reading and she went on to read like a fiend, including the classics, and ended up with a BA in English. So, Thank You, Jilly Cooper. Whatever it takes!!

[tx3dayeventer]

Just finished What Price Glory. I want a follow up book :) Great read! It makes the mistakes such as calling a girth a cinch and XC an obstacle course easy to overlook. I need to finish Riders! Got a few pages in and had a hard time sticking with it. Will try again. I am the type to sit down with a book and read and read and read. Read "What Price Glory" pretty much tonight with the exception of reading the first chapter this morning before lunch.

[riva1]

Not about EVENTING but gripping none the less is "Riders" by Jilly Cooper. Probably my favorite Horse Book to date. It is about show jumpers and as far as I know really accurate. Oh and there is definintely some scandal as well as romance.

Loved it so much I read all the rest of Jilly Cooper's books. :D

delicious!!!! Riders is definetly my favorite all time book. Just reread it (and Polo a few months ago).:yes: